"I'm running out of adjectives," said Selectman Leslie Rutan. "We're proud of you and we're pleased that you're here."

Rutan's comments echoed those of others as the Board of Selectmen publicly presented the annual evaluation for Town Administrator John Coderre at the meeting last week.

Broken into five categories, which include financial management, personnel mangement, board support, personal characteristics and communication and relationships, Coderre received an overall rating of 4.7 out of a possible 5, with four "exceeding job standards" and five getting an "outstanding" mark.

In the evaluation of financial management, which includes development and implementation of capital and operating budgets, and long-range planning, Coderre received an overall rating of 4.5.

He was given an overall of 4.4 in personnel management, an umbrella that covers leadership, effective collective bargaining, team-building, employee motivation and teh ability to guide individuals or groups toward effective task accomplishment.

He received a 4.7 in board support, 4.9 in personal characteristics and 4.8 in communication.

A press release issued by Selectmen Chairman William Pantazis said the board was "very satisfied with the performance of the town administrator and his ongoing commitment to the town of Northborough."

"I think it brought some fresh air having John here," said Pantazis.

"You're very vested in the community and you take a lot of pride in what you do, and how you interact with the community," said Rutan. "You represent us very well."

Coderre thanked the board not only for the annual evaluation but added, "In all the time that I've worked with all of you, you've always been professional. We don't always agree, but we focus on the facts and move forward in a very professional manner. Having spent the weekend with my colleagues at the MMA, I hear of issues that come up among board members [in other communities]; they think Northborough is a utopia, and I'm close to agreeing with that."